AIL’s MSE Retaining Walls as bridge abutments helped the BC Ministry of Transportation and Highways finish an important job on time and on budget. AIL proposed a value engineered steel solution on a job initially designed for precast concrete facing. With AIL’s MSE Retaining Wall System, we were able to provide an economical solution for the job, as well as meet some pretty tight timelines.
Two bridges, four walls and a looming deadline for a mall opening
AIL provided four bridge abutments for two bridges on the Mission Valley Interchange in British Columbia, a 35-metre bridge on busy Highway #11 and a 16-metre bridge on London Avenue. Work had to move quickly to meet the mid-September deadline of a mall opening on the roadway above the bridges — and when AIL joined the team, things were already behind schedule.
Completed in a fraction of the time of concrete
Concrete panels would have taken four to six weeks to supply, while AIL was able to get the first shipment of its product on-site within 10 days and construction completed 21 days later. The Ministry of Transportation and Highways, as well as the owners of the Mission Valley Shopping Centre Limited, needed quick supply, minimal construction time and the ability to pour a facing at a later date. AIL met these requirements and didn’t encroach on Highway #11 at all while the walls were being erected. This meant no traffic disruption for this major route.
And, an engineering award for our partners
AIL designed, supplied and provided site inspection services for this Mission, BC, project. The project was nominated for a Consulting Engineers of BC Quality Management Award for Engineering Excellence — an impressive job with a small window of time.
